This Christmas is so special for us as a family because as we are for the first time celebrating together with our children David and Julia, we are reminded that a Child was born and given to bring hope into the hearts and lives of the hopeless. These four hopeless people found each other and found hope this year.
We celebrated Christmas at our house early this year with my side of the family – We prepared a brunch - main course was Rainbow trout .. sounds fancy right? well in small towns in Colombia, people eat fish for breakfast, so we went with it and we had Yuca and Suero ... for the Colombians reading they know it is not fancy anymore but very home cooking ... Also we had fruit and cookies and made from scratch blueberry muffins and mimosas and hot chocolate - We used to go to a restaurant in Minneapolis called Kinkaids and the Sunday Brunch was expectacular - they had the best blueberry muffins - Brian's were the best!
The kids really enjoyed the whole event! Julia even had a cookie - and she is not into sweets.
David got a guitar for Christmas - he loved it!
Here we are trying to get lola into her new outfit - That was her Christmas gift.
Julia was very curious with all the gifts.
On Decempber 2nd 2006, David saw Elmo "Live" for the first time at my niece's B-day party and he loved him!!!
Brian and I were really busy just trying to keep up with our two active toddlers on a Sesame street theme party. They loved the singing the dancing, the ice cream cones and of course, Elmo.
Julia is learning the meaning of the expression "Fashion first" It was a little hot outside but we kept the whole outfit the entire party! She is Mama's girl.
The B-day girl was beautiful, like always .. my dear niece is also my goddaughter so this was a very special celebration for us. My sister made this cheese breads that were amazing!! It was nice to enjoy with all our nieces, nephews and our friends kids!
Before and after picture of Julia and Papi.
Papi was the first man Julia ever saw in her entire life until she was close to one year old and now she loves to dance with him at home.
Papi sings this song: “someday your Prince will come …” and Julia gives her hand to papi to position herself for dancing and she pretends she is singing with him. I think is good Brian is practicing for Julia’s “big day” this early, but knowing him, when the “day” comes, he won’t be able to sing the song … he will probably just cry … just like grandpa.
Julia has a great personality. She loves to sing and dance. At night, after I give her the bottle, she knows is time for singing lullabies, so she starts imitating my singing to get me started. It is such a precious moment. Then she puts her two fingers in her mouth telling me she is ready for her own bed.
I can believe that Julia’s referral description was: “shy and quiet girl” that is so not my Julia anymore. You should see her when we are in public, at church, the Latin restaurant, etc. she comes in and says “hi” to every person she sees … and smiles as she was a personality saluting … and she is not quiet either she can hardly say 20 words but she knows how to have a discussion and make herself understood and of course she pretends of having this long conversations at the table with whoever wants to listen.
Julia used to say only Paapa and not mama, but 2 days ago as we were in the car coming back home from David’s school, I said: “Julia say: we are Home” and she said “OMMM” so then I said: “Julia if you can say Ommmm, you can say mmmammma” then she said: Mmaammaa!!!! I am so proud of her! Is like she got it and now she says it a lot!
Before and after pictures of David and Mami.
We went to Disney last weekend and all of us loved it.
I love to dress Julia up and then put something pretty in her hair. The problem is to keep the hair pieces on. We usually play the game of let's see who gets tired first: me putting it in or her taking it out. Well, my tactic now is to put it on and then give her something to distract her hands. This picture here is one of the hundreds of Brian's attempts to take a picture of Julia where she is looking at the camera, she is actually smiling and she has the hair piece on. As you can see, she is already trying to get her hands free so she can take it off.
They both love our new patio. We decided to add some pavers to the back of the house to make a big terrace so that the kids could play easier, but then we realized we needed to fence it. The second picture shows the final result. We will enjoy this space for Thanksgiving (we live in South Florida) when the whole family on both sides will be here to celebrate and give thanks to the Lord for His goodness and the special gifts we have received this year.
This started on our long trip to Charlotte: David started to get a little fussy, so I would reach back and started to rub his feet. Well, guess what? He loves it!
David trying to eat a piece of b-day cake
This was David's b-day cake, a fabulous presentation and design by auntie Brenda (here) and grandpa Knowles.
Let's pray for her husband and her little baby girl Maria Eduarda.
Lord we remember Edméia with gladness of heart and thankful for her life and the moments we had together. We thank you for your salvation for we know that there is Hope for us your children even after death. We pray for Brazil, her husband and Maria Eduarda, her daughther, that your Holy Spirit would confort them in these dificult moments. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.
This is the last email message I got from Edméia:
"Hoje de manhã tentei falar contigo Rebeca, no skype e não deu certo. Mas quero dizer que estou por aqui! Torcendo por vocês... sei que são momentos especiais de preparativos para a chegada dos bebês, e estou tão feliz! Quero dizer para vocês aproveitarem esse momento com muita alegria para que fique registrado em seu coração o presente que Deus está dando para vocês. Que esses preparativos sejam momentos de satisfação, alegria, sorrisos e muita, muita paz!"
Eo agradezco a Deus por la oportunidad que tuve de falar con Edméia cuarta feira, ella estaba muito feliz. Estou com muita tristeza y saudades.
We had a dedication service at our house with close friends and family.
We are proud to present to you our children: David Mark Knowles and Julia Amanda Knowles. In this picture you will see them in their favorite activity: eating.
According to the weekly Moscow newspaper Element, the main people in the news were: The biggest star of the world cup, Brazilian soccer player Ronaldinho, is the poster boy for the Nike’s campaign “Jugo Bonito”; The Colombian singer Shakira will be singing at the closing ceremonies of the 2006 World Cup, her song “Hips don’t lie” became the “most played song in pop history” 9657 spins in one week; The American actors, Brad and Angelina, just released the photos of their baby girl Shiloh Nouvel Jolie –Pitt.
Lola and my niece both enjoyed the Euro Tub we got from my sister Debbie. Then my niece G actually used it and gave the two thumbs up!
My sister Raquel is planning an adoption baby shower for us this weekend. Thanks Raque!
Remember my picture after meeting our kids? Well, I was not the only one needing a hug (as Suz suggested) We met that night late with our friends in Moscow and they also had their first time meeting their baby girl! We were supposed to meet at the lobby at 7pm and somehow we got all confused, they were waiting for us at Moo Moo’s and by the time we went to Moo Moo’s they were gone, but at the end we met for a glass of wine and beer at the hotel.
As I promised, this is a review of the restaurants close to Arbat street.
I will try to recall the happenings on the Thursday we met our children and I will be honest – I just hope to help some of you out there that might have to go through a similar experience and have some expectations that might not be accurate when the day comes.
